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Study Design: Retrospective Cohort., Objective: To evaluate patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement outcomes between anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disk replacement (CDR) in the Workers' Compensation (WC) population., Summary of Background Data: No studies to our knowledge have compared PROMs and MCID attainment between ACDF and CDR among patients with WC insurance undergoing surgery in an outpatient ambulatory surgical center (ASC)., Methods: WC insurance patients undergoing primary, single/double-level ACDF/CDR in an ASC were identified. Patients were divided into ACDF versus CDR. PROMs were collected at preoperative/6-week/12-week/6-month/1-year timepoints, including PROMIS-PF, SF-12 PCS/MCS, VAS neck/arm, and NDI., Results: Seventy-nine patients were included, 51 ACDF/28 CDR. While operative time (56.4 vs. 54.4 min), estimated blood loss (29.2 vs. 25.9 mL), POD0 pain (4.9 vs. 3.8), and POD0 narcotic consumption (21.2 vs. 14.5 oral morphine equivalents) were higher in ACDF patients, none reached statistical significance ( P >0.050, all). One-year arthrodesis rate was 100.0% among ACDF recipients with available imaging (n=36). ACDF cohort improved from preoperative for PROMIS-PF from 12 weeks to 1 year, SF-12 PCS at 6 months, all timepoints for VAS neck/arm, and 12 weeks/6 months for NDI ( P ≤0.044, all). CDR cohort improved from preoperative for PROMIS-PF at 6 months, VAS neck/arm from 12 weeks to 1 year, and NDI at 12 weeks/6 months ( P ≤0.049, all). CDR cohort reported significantly lower VAS neck at 12 weeks/1 year and VAS arm at 12 weeks ( P ≤0.039, all). MCID achievement rates did not differ., Conclusion: While operative duration/estimated blood loss/acute postoperative pain/narcotic consumption were, on average, higher among ACDF recipients, these were not statistically significant, possibly due to the limited sample size. ACDF and CDR ASC patients generally demonstrated comparable arm pain/disability/physical function/mental health, though neck pain was significantly lower at multiple timepoints among CDR patients. Clinically meaningful PROM improvements were comparable. Larger, multicentered studies are required to confirm our results., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Purpose: This study investigated the influence of preoperative mental health on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) among workers' compensation (WC) recipients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Overview of Literature: No studies have evaluated the impact of preoperative mental functioning on outcomes following MIS TLIF among WC claimants. Methods: WC recipients undergoing single-level MIS TLIF were identified. PROMs of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Physical and Mental Composite Scale (SF-12 PCS/MCS), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function evaluated subjects preoperatively/postoperatively. Subjects were grouped according to preoperative SF-12 MCS: <41 vs. =41. Demographic/perioperative variables, PROMs, and MCID were compared using inferential statistics. Multiple regression was used to account for differences in spinal pathology. Results: The SF-12 MCS <41 and SF-12 MCS =41 groups included 48 and 45 patients, respectively. Significant differences in ΔPROMs were observed at SF-12 MCS at all timepoints, except at 6 months (p =0.041, all). The SF-12 MCS <41 group had worse preoperative to 6-months SF-12 MCS, 12-weeks/6-months VAS back, 12-week VAS leg, and preoperative to 6-months ODI (p =0.029, all). The SF-12 MCS <41 group had greater MCID achievement for overall ODI and 6-weeks/1-year/overall SF-12 MCS (p =0.043, all); the SF-12 MCS =41 group had greater attainment for 6-month VAS back (p =0.004). Conclusions: Poorer mental functioning adversely affected the baseline and intermediate postoperative quality-of-life outcomes pertaining to mental health, back pain, and disability among WC recipients undergoing lumbar fusion. However, outcomes did not differ 1-2 years after surgery. While MCID achievement for pain and physical function was largely unaffected by preoperative mental health score, WC recipients with poorer baseline mental health demonstrated higher rates of overall clinically meaningful improvements for disability and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare perioperative characteristics and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in workers' compensation (WC) patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in either the inpatient/outpatient setting. Patients with WC undergoing 1-level MIS-TLIF were included. Patients were separated into inpatient/outpatient groups and demographically propensity score matched. PROMs included visual analog scale (VAS) back/VAS leg/Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)/12-item Short Form Physical Composite Score (SF-12 PCS)/Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) preoperatively and 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Results were compared preoperatively and postoperatively and between cohorts. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement was determined through comparison with values established in the literature. A total of 216 patients were included (184 inpatient). The inpatient cohort (IC) showed worse perioperative outcomes in multiple measures (P < 0.034; all). The IC improved in all PROMs (P < 0.038; all), besides ODI at 6 weeks, SF-12 PCS at 6 weeks/6 months/1 year, and PROMIS-PF at 6 weeks. The outpatient cohort (OC) improved in VAS back at all time points and VAS leg at 6 months (P < 0.033; all). Between cohorts, the OC showed better scores with VAS leg/ODI/SF-12 PCS/PROMIS-PF at multiple time points (P < 0.031; all). Most of the IC achieved MCID, aside from ODI, whereas the OC achieved MCID in SF-12 PCS. MCID achievement between cohorts was higher in the IC at PROMIS-PF at 1 year and VAS back overall (P < 0.034; all). Despite more comorbidities and worse perioperative measures, the IC showed improved PROMs from preoperative to ≥1 follow-up visit, whereas the OC had improvement with only VAS back and leg. The IC showed multiple MCID achievements, whereas the OC showed MCID in only SF-12 PCS. These findings may help guide a surgeon's decision making between inpatient/outpatient lumbar surgery in the WC population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on perioperative outcomes, postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement among workers' compensation (WC) claimants undergoing minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MIS-LD). WC patients diagnosed with herniated nucleus pulposus undergoing single-level MIS-LD were identified. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Non-obese (<30 kg/m2), Obese I (≥30 and <35 kg/m2), and Obese II/III (≥35 kg/m2). PROMs were collected preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. The predictive influence of BMI grouping on mean PROM scores was computed using simple linear regression. To compare PROMs between groups, post hoc pairwise comparisons of adjusted means were utilized. MCID achievement was compared between groups with χ2 analysis. A total of 81 patients were in the Non-obese cohort, and 43 and 45 in the Obese I and Obese II/III cohorts, respectively. Visual analog scale (VAS) leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and 12-Item Short Form Physical Composite Score (SF-12 PCS) were worse in the Obese I cohort at 12 weeks, and SF-12 PCS was lower in the Obese I vs. Obese II/III subgroup analysis (P ≤ 0.045, all). MCID achievement rates for ODI were higher for the Non-obese group at 12 weeks and overall (P ≤ 0.049, both). MCID attainment for VAS back was higher among the Non-obese cohort at 6-weeks (P = 0.022). Patients with higher levels of obesity were more likely to experience longer length of stay and delayed discharge following MIS-LD. Increasing BMI was generally not a significant predictor of postoperative pain, disability, or physical health PROMs at most timepoints. MCID achievement rates for disability relief were significantly higher for non-obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conduct a preliminary analysis on the impact of time to surgery (TTS) and duration of symptoms (DOS) on clinical outcomes in workers' compensation patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Patients using workers' compensation insurance undergoing primary, single-level MIS TLIF were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were administered at preoperative/6-week/12-week/6-month postoperative time points and included visual analog scale (VAS) back/VAS leg/Oswestry Disability Index/12-Item Short-Form Physical Composite Score/12-Item Short-Form Mental Composite Score. Patients were grouped by TTS: <90 days, 90–179 days, and ≥180 days. Demographics were compared by χ2; perioperative characteristics, mean PROMs, and postoperative improvement (ΔPROM) were compared using 1-way analysis of variance. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement rates were compared using simple logistic regression. A secondary analysis was performed by grouping patients by DOS: <180 days, 180–364 days, and ≥365 days. Mean PROMs, ΔPROMs, and MCID achievement were similarly compared between DOS groups using 1-way analysis of variance and logistic regression. A total of 193 patients were included. Prevalence of herniated nucleus pulposus and initial appointment type were significantly associated with TTS (P < 0.042, all). No significant differences in mean PROMs or ΔPROMs were observed among TTS groups. MCID achievement was significantly lower for VAS back at 6 months in the longest TTS group. Mean PROMs were significantly different based on DOS for VAS leg at 6 weeks only. MCID achievement was significantly lower for the longest DOS group for VAS leg at 6 months only. ΔPROMs did not significantly differ among DOS groups. Neither TTS nor DOS was significantly associated with MIS TLIF outcomes. Workers' compensation patients may achieve similar clinical improvement even with longer symptom burden and substantial delays in operative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have focused on outcomes among Workers' Compensation (WC) claimants undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). To determine the influence of WC on perioperative outcomes, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and attainment rates of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) among patients undergoing single-level ALIF at L5S1. Retrospective. A retrospective surgical database of an attending spine surgeon was utilized to identify patients with WC insurance undergoing single-level ALIF at L5S1. One-hundred and nine patients were included, with 82 in the non-WC and 27 in the WC cohort. PROM data for visual analog scale (VAS) back/leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Physical Composite Score (PCS) and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF) was obtained preoperatively and at 6-weeks, 12-weeks, 6-months, 1-year and 2-years following ALIF. Patients were divided into groups based on insurance status: WC vs non-WC (including patients with private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid). Demographic and perioperative information was evaluated between insurance groups using student's t-test for independent samples for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. Mean PROMs were compared with student's t-test for independent samples. Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative PROM values were evaluated with paired sample t-tests. Patients who achieved an improvement in PROM score greater than or equal to established threshold values were marked as achieving MCID. WC and non-WC groups were compared in MCID attainment rates across PROMs with chi-squared analyses. A greater proportion of the non-WC cohort were Caucasian, while a significantly greater proportion of the WC cohort were African American and Hispanic (p=0.001). Significantly more patients in the WC cohort were smokers (p<0.001). Non-WC patients improved significantly from preoperative to postoperative timepoints of 6-months through 2-years for PROMIS-PF and SF-12 PCS, 6 weeks through 1 year for VAS back, 6 months/1 year for VAS leg and 12 weeks through 1-year for ODI (p≤0.048, all). WC patients improved significantly at postoperative timepoints for PROMIS-PF at 6 weeks (p=0.029), SF-12 PCS at 12 weeks (p=0.018), VAS back from 6 weeks to 6 months, and VAS leg at 6 months, only (p≤0.029, all). Mean VAS back scores were significantly greater in the WC cohort at 6 months and 1 year (p≤0.013, both), mean VAS leg scores were significantly greater in the WC cohort at 1 year (p=0.029), and mean ODI scores were significantly higher in the WC cohort at preoperative through 1 year (p≤0.040, all). With the exception of higher MCID achievement for VAS back at 12 weeks (p=0.037), no other differences in attainment rates were observed for any PROM at any time point or for the overall postoperative period. Among patients receiving ALIF, WC insurance was more prevalent among patients identifying as Hispanic and African American, along with smokers. While physical function scores were similar between groups, long-term pain and disability (throughout the entire postoperative period) were significantly higher among patients with WC. MCID achievement, however, was largely comparable for all PROMs between WC and non-WC study groups. This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]